At COP28, statements from the UAE’s climate leadership spark debate
The oil executive and chairman of COP28, Sultan al-Jaber, has been at the center of questions since the summit opened. Early remarks suggested doubts about the science behind fossil fuels and climate action, drawing scrutiny from observers who worry about the pace of transition. In recent days, he clarified his stance, emphasizing that science underpins his approach to COP28 and shapes the presidency’s priorities.
During a press briefing, he reiterated that science has guided his career and continues to shape the principled strategy of the COP28 presidency. He was joined by Jim Skea, the chair of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, who reinforced the scientific framework guiding the talks.
Images from the opening day show a deliberate emphasis on the interplay between political leadership and scientific insight, with Al-Jaber presenting a narrative aimed at balancing realism with ambition for the negotiations.
These remarks came after a video circulated in the lead-up to the summit in which the speaker indicated that science did not make a case for fully eliminating fossil fuels as a prerequisite to achieving the 1.5-degree goal. To address those concerns, Al-Jaber sought to reframe the conversation around a science-led path to the target, signaling a willingness to adapt as negotiations progress.
Sultan al-Jaber has stressed that there is no scenario in which simply phasing out fossil fuels automatically achieves 1.5°C
In a recent online briefing on COP28 preparations, he argued that no single, simplistic plan exists to reach the 1.5-degree limit. He avoided alarmist rhetoric while stating that a straightforward phasing out of fossil fuels would not alone guarantee the desired outcome.
Yet he also pointed to scientific conclusions indicating that keeping warming within 1.5 degrees requires a substantial drop in global emissions by 2030 and the achievement of net-zero emissions by mid-century. He framed these findings as the record of the science that guides ongoing negotiations.
Al-Jaber insisted that every action his team takes is grounded in science. After reviewing progress in the talks, he expressed cautious optimism about the future of the negotiations and urged participants not to miss the moment to make meaningful progress.
On the opening day the summit, observers noted the emphasis on the core task: to align policy with the scientific imperative to reduce emissions, while seeking practical steps that can garner broad support among negotiating parties.
‘I was surprised’ by the criticism directed at him
A senior executive from a national oil company stated that he was surprised by what he saw as persistent efforts to undermine the COP28 presidency. He reiterated his belief that reducing and eventually ending fossil fuels is an inevitable component of climate action, while acknowledging that public understanding of the issue can be muddled.
Speaking about his own background, the executive described engineering as his craft, saying science is his passion and guide. He noted that his professional journey has been driven by a conviction that science should inform policy and strategy, especially in a forum as consequential as COP28.
As president of COP28, he emphasized that there are no fixed red lines in the negotiations and that success depends on the participants finding common ground and working toward the most ambitious response to the climate challenge.
Delegations were encouraged to seek practical concessions and to pursue a robust, collective effort that advances the goals of global balance and climate resilience. The call went out to support an assertive, science-driven path that remains faithful to the ambitions of the Paris Agreement.
In this context, observers argued that COP28 must address the phase-out of fossil fuels in a manner that remains affordable, technically feasible, and acceptable to a broad coalition of countries. The discussion highlighted the IPCC’s findings on how energy demand and technology choices affect emissions trajectories, underscoring the importance of pragmatic policy options alongside scientific rigor.
The IPCC chief, reinforcing the narrative, described the science as clear: emissions must be reduced to maintain the 1.5-degree target, with impact varying by energy source. He noted that without mitigation, certain high-emission fuels would see rapid declines, while others could be phased out with greater speed through available technologies. He stressed that the task facing COP28 is to translate these scientific insights into concrete, equitable commitments among nations.
Edges of the discussion remained focused on the role of science in guiding negotiations and on the essential fact that action must be measured yet decisive. The leadership of COP28 was urged to keep the discussions anchored in evidence while pursuing the most effective strategies to bring about meaningful emission reductions and climate resilience worldwide.
For readers following environmental policy, the exchange underscored the ongoing tension between economic realities and scientific imperatives. The central takeaway is that COP28 seeks a balance: science as the compass and diplomacy as the vehicle for delivering practical outcomes that close the gap toward the Paris benchmarks.